No charges for Alder Hey doctor

Dick van Velzen, the pathologist who secretly stockpiled hundreds of dead children's organs at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool, will not be prosecuted, it emerged yesterday.

Christopher Enzor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "We advised there was no prospect of being able to establish that a criminal offence had been committed."

Prof van Velzen was suspended by the General Medical Council in February 2001, but the investigation was suspended pending police inquiries. Yesterday a GMC spokeswoman said it would now be resumed.

Alice Proctor, of the Alder Hey family support group Pity II, said: "We are appalled that Prof van Velzen will not be prosecuted ... We are now waiting for the General Medical Council decision."

Ian Cohen, a solicitor who represents many of the families, said: "We would urge parliament to get the Human Tissue Act onto the statute book as soon as possible, because it provides proper protection," he said. "The fact that someone like Van Velzen is immune from criminal proceedings reinforces the urgency of this."